LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The 4,670-acre wildlife area is situated in central Ohio eight miles north of Delaware, 10 miles south of Marion, and between U.S. Routes 42 and 23. The wildlife area is adjacent to the Delaware Reservoir and Delaware State Park and can be reached from the east and west by State Route 229 and from the south and north by U.S. Route 23 and County Road 220.
The topography of the area ranges from flat to slightly rolling. The soils are generally well drained and of medium productivity. Approximately 350 acres are under cultivation in row and small grain crops annually. Approximately 50 percent of the wildlife area is in old field habitat consisting of mixed grasses, briers and small shrubs. Over 10 percent of the area has been planted to prairie grasses, timothy and clover to provide grassland wildlife habitat.
Nearly 40 percent of the wildlife area consists of second growth hardwoods and brush in advanced stages of succession. The timber stands consist of cottonwood, ash, elm, beech, maple, hickory, oak, and black walnut. Index of Ohio's trees from the Division of Forestry.
HISTORY AND PURPOSE
Delaware Reservoir was constructed from 1947 to 1950 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control. Most of the 8,301 acres are licensed to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for fish, wildlife, and general recreation purposes. Delaware State Park, on the southwest side of the reservoir, provides camping, picnicking, and boat launching facilities for the hunter and angler. The remaining 6,000 acres, including the 1,330-acre lake, are managed for fish and wildlife and are available for hunting and fishing.
The wildlife management plan for the area provides for a diversity of habitats for upland wildlife. Management techniques include sharecropping, planting of permanent nesting cover, manipulating timber stands, and periodic burning to control succession. Wetland wildlife habitat has been improved by the construction of 54 ponds and the flooding of 159 acres of seasonal wetlands.
The Olentangy Wildlife Research Station, which serves as the headquarters for statewide upland wildlife research, is located here. Many field research projects have been carried out on this area since 1951.
FISH AND WILDLIFE Populations of black bass, bluegill, crappie, white bass, saugeye, and catfish occur in the reservoir. A hydrographic fishing map (Publication 231) for Delaware Lake is available.
A great variety of both nesting and migrant birds utilize the area. Of particular interest is the spring migration of waterfowl and songbirds and the fall migration of hawks. Red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, and Northern harriers (marsh hawks) are common summer sights over the open fields and woodlots. Large numbers of turkey vultures are also present during summer. Among the rare and unusual birds which have been observed are the bald eagle, Northern goshawk, osprey, king rail, snowy owl, long-eared owl, great egret, cattle egret, and sandhill crane. In 1994, wild turkeys were relocated from eastern Ohio to the Delaware Wildlife Area. Bird observation is a popular activity at Delaware.
Cottontail rabbit, ring-necked pheasant, mourning dove, squirrels, woodchuck, raccoon, muskrat, mink, and opossum are the principal upland game and fur species. Resident populations of Canada geese, wood ducks, and mallards occur on the area. During the spring and fall migrations, these and other waterfowl species can be found in large numbers on the reservoir, ponds, and seasonally flooded marsh.
HUNTING, TRAPPING, AND FISHING
The Delaware Wildlife Area is popular for rabbit, mourning dove, pheasant, and deer hunting. Pheasants are released each year to increase harvest opportunity for this popular game bird. At the extreme southern end of the wildlife area, a 159-acre marsh provides excellent waterfowl hunting. Jump shooting for ducks on the numerous ponds is often productive. Trapping for muskrat, raccoon, and mink is equally rewarding and night hunting is popular.
Bass, crappies, bluegill, channel catfish, and saugeye make up the bulk of the fishery. Fishing below the dam during cold weather for saugeye and fishing the Olentangy and Whetstone rivers during the spring migration of white bass should prove rewarding. Throughout the warmer months, catfish, saugeye and black crappie fishing in the reservoir is very good.
PUBLIC USE FACILITIES
Parking lots are situated throughout the area. Several boat launching areas are available for anglers and hunters. A rifle and handgun shooting range is available to shooters who purchase a shooting range permit. Contact the Division of Wildlife for details on permit prices, locations to purchase permits and dates and hours the range is open.
Shotgun shooters can use the hand-trap range free of charge. The shotgun range operates under the same days and hours as the rifle-handgun range.
An archery range consisting of 11 targets, a broadhead shooting pit and a 16- target archery walking course is located on the northeast portion of the wildlife area.
A dog training area is available for year-round use.
DUCK BLINDS
Permission to erect a permanent duck blind on the reservoir must be secured from the park manager at the Delaware State Park headquarters. Contact the Delaware State Park for more information.
HANDICAP ACCESS
The following facilities are available to users with disabilities: rifle, handgun, and shotgun shooting ranges with accessible restrooms, and an archery range.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Further information may be obtained from the Area Manager, Delaware Wildlife Area, 8589 Horseshoe Road, Ashley, Ohio 43003; telephone (740) 747-2919; or from the Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215; telephone (614) 644-3925.
Any questions please call Ohio Land expert Brian Bauer (614) 949-6764
